PhD Scholarship to work on “Protection of Multi-Terminal MVDC Distribution Systems”

Imperial College London

Location: South Kensington, London

About the role:

We are recruiting a postgraduate researcher to undertake a PhD project on the technology and protection of multi-terminal MVDC distribution systems. The work will analyse short-circuits and other fault scenarios in medium-power distribution networks that use DC links to integrate energy resources such as PV farms and EV rapid-charging infrastructure. You will develop and evaluate fault detection and fault location algorithms for these systems.

The project is funded by GE Vernova under a wider collaboration with Imperial College London. You will be co-supervised by Dr Adria Junyent-Ferre and Professor Tim Green, and will work with engineers from the MVDC Technology team at GE Vernova. The candidate will spend time at Imperial as well as in GE Vernova's offices in France. The schedule for this will be planned at the beginning of the project. Outputs will support solution development at GE Vernova and will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

We welcome applications from ambitious researchers with a strong power electronics, circuits and protection engineering background.

What you would be doing:

• Assessing the current state of the art in MVDC protection and the technological challenges of using MVDC for power distribution.
• Developing mathematical and simulation models of relevant study cases for the study of faults in MVDC systems.
• Reviewing the most promising power electronic converter circuit topologies and power semiconductors for MVDC.
• Run fault transient studies to characterise events and design fault protection and identification methods.
• Extend and validate protection mechanisms for larger systems with many interconnected converters.

What we are looking for:

• A strong academic background in power electronics, circuits and protection engineering
• Experience with modelling and simulation of power systems and/or power electronic converters
• Familiarity with fault analysis and protection principles; knowledge of MVDC or HVDC systems is desirable
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with academic and industrial partners
• Willingness to travel for secondments in France
• Applicants should hold or be expected to obtain a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline

What we can offer you:

• A PhD project focused on an emerging power distribution technology with strong industrial relevance.
• Joining a team of researchers from a leading power engineering research group and work in close collaboration with the professionals of a top OEM of power electronics equipment.
• Opportunities to undertake secondments at GE Vernova facilities in France.

Essential Requirements

• First-class Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline
• Strong academic background in power electronics, circuits and protection engineering
• Experience with modelling and simulation of power systems and/or power electronic converters
• Familiarity with fault analysis and protection principles; knowledge of MVDC or HVDC systems is desirable
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with academic and industrial partners
• Willingness to travel for secondments in France

Further Information

The PhD studentship is funded by GE Vernova and includes home/overseas level tuition fees, a tax-free stipend for three and a half years at the UKRI London rate (approximately £22,780 per year for 2025/26), and support for research expenses and travel to collaborators and conferences.

The studentship is expected to start on one of two fixed entry points, 1st July 2026 or 26th September 2026. An earlier start date would be preferred if possible.

For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Dr Adrià Junyent‑Ferré (adria.junyent-ferre@imperial.ac.uk).

To apply, please complete the Expression of Interest form at https://forms.office.com/e/jskWZqSQHb Shortlisted candidates will then be invited for an online interview. The successful candidate will be invited to submit a full application through the College’s PhD admissions system.